Fire apparatus.



No. 871.880. PATENTED NOV. 26, 1907. J H MITCHELL FIRE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8.1906.

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PATENTED NOV. 26. 1907.

J. H. MITCHELL.

FIRE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5.100s.

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J. H. MITCHELL.

FIRE APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUN-E 8,1906.

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No. 871,880. PATENTED Nov. 26, 1 907. J. H. MITCHELL.

FIRE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8.1906.

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IZi'z'heaa as; I I flwemr' JOHN H. MITCHELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRE APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 1907.

Application filed June 8.1906. Serial No. 320.862.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN H. MITCHELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, county of New York, State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fire Apparatus, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it per tains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates in general to fire apparatus, and more particularly to extensible ladders.

in order that the ladder may be extended adjacent any portion of a burning building, it is desirable that the truck upon which the ladder is supported should be provided with adjustable sections so that the base of the ladder may be located at points beyond each end of the truck and also at points at each side of the truck.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an apparatus by means of which extension ladders may be conveniently trans ported to the place of use and when located at a convenient point adjacent the burning building will permit the ladder to be readily located at a desired point within an extended radius around the truck so that various portions of a building may be readily accessible when the truck occupies a given position.

A further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for locating the ladder adjacent any desired portion of the building, which will be comparatively simple in construction, convenient in operation, and efficient in use.

My invention will be more fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompan ying drawings in which the same is illus trated as embodied in a convenient and practical form, and in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view; Fig. 2 a plan view; Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view, the running gear of the truck being omitted, Fig. 4 an enlarged cross sectional view on line l -4t Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a plan view showing on a smaller scale the truck with the several movable sections thereof fully extended.

The same reference characters are used to designate the same parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Reference characters A & A indicate the frames of the body of the truck which are preferably formed. of channel steel and are supported upon angular side frames a o The side frames of the truck are supported upon running gear of any usual construction comprising front and rear axles A A upon the ends of which are pairs of wheels a a. Supported upon the front and rear axles are the usual turntables A, A by means of which both axles may be rotated beneath the truck body. Springs are interposed between the axles and the under plates of the two turntables. Suitable braces, such as indicated at (6 a are interposed between the side frames a a of the truck and the upper plates of the turntables A, A. The usual king bolts extend through alined holes in the upper and lower plates of the turntables.

A and A designate running boards depending from each side of the truck frame and secured thereto in any suitable manner as by means of hangers a a The side rails A A of the body of the truck are disconnected at their ends so that the section B su ported upon the body may be adjusted ongitudinally relatively thereto in either direction The side rails B B of the frame B are located within the flanges of the channel beams forming the side frames A & A of the body. Longitudinal grooves b b are formed in the outer surfaces of the frames B B and engage ribs formed on the adjacent side rails of the truck body.

In order that the frame B may be moved longitudinally with respect to the truck body in either direction, I provide longitudinal racks B & B upon the respective side frames of the section B which are engaged by gear wheels fixed upon shaft b, I) journaled transversely beneath the side rails of the truck body. Cranks are provided on the opposite ends of the shafts b 1) so that the section B may be projected relatively to the truck body in either direction by rotating either of the shafts I) or b. As a further means for guiding the side rails B & B relatively to the side frames of the truck body, I provide longitudinal grooves in the inwardly projecting portions of the side rails B B into which extend lugs carried by brackets I) fixed to the side frames A A of the truck body.

In order that the projecting end of the frame B may be supported when adjusted longitudinally with respect to the truck body,

I provide a wheel N journaled in a frame a. The opposite end .of the frame a to that in which the wheel is journaled is pivotally supported between ears on a bracket N fixed to the end rail of the section B. In order that the wheel may be retained in an elevated position, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, strips N N are pivotally connected to the opposite sides of the frame a adjacent the wheel N and are provided with'hooks at their diverging opposite ends. The hooks on the strips N N are adapted to engage studs on the outer surfaces of the side rails of the truck frame, one of such studs being indicated at n in Fig. 1. Then the section B extends coincidently with the truck frame the wheel N is retained in an elevated position but when the .section B. has been adjusted longitudinally towards the left the hooks at the ends of the strips N N are disengaged from the studs when the frame n may be swung downwardly so that the wheel N will rest upon the ground. The portion of the frame it which is pivotally connected between the ears on the bracket N may be disconnected therefrom by removing the rod M. The wheel N may then be se cured to the opposite end of the section B by inserting the end of the frame a between the ears on the bracket N and inserting the rod a through the alined holes in the frame a and ears of the bracket. In this manner the wheel N may be used to support whichever end of the section B is projected relatively to the truck body.

Mounted within the side rails of the section B is a section C the side rails C C of which are provided with longitudinal grooves into which extend ribs on the adjacent surfaces of theside rails B B of the section B. In order that the section C may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the section B a rack bar a is secured at its ends to the end rails of the section B and is engaged by the gear wheel 0 journaled intermediate of the rails C C of the section C. A second gear wheel 0 engages the gear wheel 0 and is fixed 1 upon a stub shaft journaled in a bracket C fixed upon the section C. A crank arm 0 is fixed to a projecting end of the shaft upon which the gear wheel (2 is fixed so that rotary motion may be thereby imparted through the gear wheel 0 to the gear wheel 0 and longitudinal motion thereby imparted to the section C through the engagement of the teeth on the gear wheel 0 with the teeth on the longitudinal rack c.

A section D is mounted upon the section C so as to swing in a horizontal plane about a kin bolt cl extending through registering holes in the sections C and D. In order that the section D may be swung laterally in either direction with respect to the section C handles D are provided at the end of the section D adjacent the king bolt. The outer side edges of the section D are provided with adjustable means for supporting the outer end of such section at either side of the truck body to which it may be swung. Such supporting means are shown as comprising wheels 0 0 each of which is journaled in the end of an arm 0. In order that each arm 0 may be held in a downwardly inclined position to retain the wheel in contact with the ground, a brace 0 is provided one end of which is pivotally connected to the corresponding side edge of the section D while its other end is provided with an extended slot engaged by a clamp screw 0 carried by the corresponding arm 0. The end of the section D opposite to the king bolt may consequently be firmly supported at either side of the truck body by swinging the wheels 0 O downwardly into contact with the ground and then clamping the screws 0 so that the braces 0 will securely retain the wheels in their downwardly extended position.

Mounted upon the section D is longitudinally adjustable section E. In order that the section E may be adjusted, screw-threaded shafts E E engage screw-threaded sleeves e fixed to the section E. The ends of the shafts are provided with worm wheels e which are engaged with worms on a transverse shaft E". A crank handle 6 is fixed to the shaft E by means of which the shafts E E may be rotated in either direction and the section E thereby adjusted longitudinally upon the section I).

A section F is rotatably mounted upon the section E by means of a king boltf extending through alined holes in the united sections. The section F is semi-circular at one end thereof and is provided with teeth in its periphery which are engaged by the teeth of a pinion 7c. The pinion k is fixed upon a vertical stub shaft K j ournaled in the section E and provided with a crank lever 7r," to rotate the same. By rotating the pinion Jr the section F may be rotated upon the section E.

A pair of standards F F are mounted upon the section F and carry at their upper ends a transverse shaft g. The shaft 9 is surrounded by brackets g fixed to the under surface of the side rails of a ladder G adjacent its lower end. G designates an extension ladder longitudinally adjustable upon the ladder G and secured thereto by guides g.

A horizontal shaft H journaled in brackets secured to the posts F F and has fixed thereon a drum h. One end of the shaft H is provided with gear wheels h which meshes with the gear wheel Z fixed upon a crank shaft L. The crank shaft L is j ournaled in brackets fixed to the posts F F and is provided at its ends with cranks Z, Z. A flexible connection M is secured to the lower end of the ladder G and is adapted to be wound aroundthe drum h whereby the latter is swung into an upright position about the shaft G as a fulcrum. The extensible ladder G may be adjusted longitudinally upon the ladder G in any well known manner as by means of the flexible connection M which passes over the outer end of the ladder G and is connected to the lower end of the ladder G. The opposite end of the flexible connection M is secured to a drum m rotatably mounted at the lower end of a ladder G as for instanceby securing the same to the shaft 9 and providing means for rotating such shaft.

In order that the laddermay be supported in a horizontal position when not in use, 1 provide a pair of standards P upon the outer end of the section 1). A transverse shaft 7) is carried at the upper ends of the standards P and is adapted to support the latter. The ladder is also further supported when out of use by the wheel N.

Q, designates a vertically swinging frame pivotally connected at one end by means of a bracket (1 with the rotatable section ll. The upper end of the frame Q is adapted to engage the ladder G and to assist in supporting the same when in use. Any suitable means, as for instance,.a rod 1 may be provided for sustaining the frame Q in an upright position to support the ladder. Ball bearings may be located between the various relatively movable sections of the apparatus in order that the adjustment of the apparatus may be easily effected.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The truck is hauled by any suitable motive power, such as horses to the place of use when the horses are disconnected. The section of the apparatus B may then be ad justed longitudinally to any desired extent in either direction with respect to the truck frame by means of rotating either of the shafts b, I)". The end of the section B which has been projected beyond the truck body is then supported by adjusting the wheel N beneath the same. The section C may then be adjusted upon the section B by means of the crank 0 When the section 0 has been adjusted in the desired position the section D may be swung to the most convenient side of the truck frame by means of the handles D. The end of the section D opposite the king bolt is then supported by, suitably adjusting the wheels 0 O as above described. The section E may then be adjusted upon the section D by rotating the crank on the shaft E The base of the ladder may then be rotated to the desired position by means of the crank 71' which swings the section F upon the section E. Prior to adjusting the various sections of the supporting apparatus the ladder G has of course been swung into an upright position by means of the crank shaft L. The extension ladder may be ad justed to the desired extent so that any desired height maybe reached. W' hen the apparatus is to be used no longer the sections are readjusted into compact form. for transportation and the ladder is supported in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing description it -will be observed that I have invented an improved fire apparatus by means of which an extension ladder may be located in a position longitudinally beyond either end of the truck body and may be then projected to either side of the truck body so that it may be located over pavements or up an alley. it will be further observed that in my improved apparatus the various adjustable parts may be compactly arranged for transit.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an appz'iratus of the character described, the combination with a truck body, of running gear for supporting the body, a longitmlinally adjustable section mounted upon and adapted to be extended beyond either end of said body, a second section mounted upon said first section, means for adjusting a horizontally swinging frame pivotally connected at one end to said second section, means for supporting the outer end. of said frame, a ladder supported upon said frame, and means for rotatably supporting the lower end of said ladder upon said frame.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a truck body, of running gear for supporting the body, a longitudinally adjustable section mounted upon and adapted to be extended beyond either end of said body, a second section mounted upon said first section, means for adjusting said second section longitudinally upon said first section, a horizontally swinging frame pivotally connected at one end to said second section, means for supporting the outer end of said frame, a base adjustably supported on said frame, a ladder supported upon said base, aml m ans for rotating the lower end of said ladder upon said base.

3. 111 a iire apparatus, the combination with a truck body, of running gear supporting said body, a longitudinally adjustable section mounted upon said body, a horizontally swinging frame pivotally connected at one end to said section, a ladder supported upon said frame, a support pivotally connected to one end of said section for supporting the same when extended relatively to the body, and means for retaining said support above said body to support the ladder when the apparatus is in condition for transit.

4. In a fire apparatus, the combination with a truck body, of a longitudinally adjustable section mounted on said body, a rack bar secured to said section, a gear wheel engaging said rack bar, a shaft upon which said gear wheel is fixed o'urnaled upon said truck body, a horizontally swinging frame pivotally secured at one end to said section, adjustable means for supporting the outer end of said frame, a ladder supported by said frame, and means for swinging said ladder in an upright position.

5. In a fire apparatus, the combination with a truck body, of running gear upon which said body is mounted, a section longitudinally adjustable mounted on said body, means for projecting said section relatively to said body in either direction, a horizontally swinging frame pivotally mounted at one end upon said section, means for ad justably supporting the outer end of said frame, a base longitudinally adjusted upon 15 said frame, a ladder supported at its lower end upon said base, means for rotating said ladder upon said base, and means for swinging said ladder into an upright position.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specifi- 20 cation in the presence of two witnesses.

DODSON L. MITCHELL, FRANK E. OARSTARPHEN. 

